Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of Vietnam Phan Thi Thang has emphasized the importance of expanding bilateral trade between Bangladesh and Vietnam, including removing tariff and non-tariff barriers, signing trade agreements and building economic partnerships between the two countries.
He made these remarks at the Vietnam-Bangladesh Business Forum 2025 organized by the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) at Hotel Intercontinental in the capital on Wednesday (May 14, 2025). A 16-member business delegation from Vietnam participated in the forum. The delegation was led by Deputy Minister Phan Thi Thang.
Citing the trade potential of several industries including agriculture, tourism, medicine, fisheries, ICT, Vietnam’s Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Phan Thi Thang said that both countries have imposed high tariffs on each other’s products. He said that there is great potential in unexplored sectors if tariff and non-tariff barriers are removed and transportation, communication and logistics systems are simplified.
At the time, he suggested strengthening information exchange and mutual cooperation between businessmen of the two countries.
Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce Abdur Rahim Khan also spoke about removing tariff and non-tariff barriers to expand trade and investment between the two countries. He also suggested further simplifying the transaction system between the two countries.
In his welcome speech at the event, FBCCI Administrator Md. Hafizur Rahman said that there is a huge trade and investment potential between Bangladesh and Vietnam, a large part of which remains unexplored. At the time, he mentioned the potential of infrastructure development, renewable energy, agricultural processing, and information and communication technology sectors.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Dhaka Nguyen Manh Cong highlighted the importance of joint venture initiatives and mutual cooperation in expanding trade between Bangladesh and Vietnam. He expressed hope that both countries can benefit from expanding industry and trade through technology transfer and technical cooperation.
At the time, Bangladesh Ambassador to Vietnam Mohammad Lutfar Rahman called for trade-visa facilitation between Bangladesh and Vietnam. Do Van Throng, Head of Vietnam Business Association, highlighted the importance of further strengthening communication and partnership between businessmen and entrepreneurs of the two countries.
Also present at the event were FBCCI Secretary General Md. Alamgir, former FBCCI directors Abdul Haque, Nasrin Fatema Awal, Dr. Ferdousi Rahman, members of FBCCI’s supporting committee, members of the general council, business leaders and others.
